Electric control system



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ELECTRIC CONTROL SYSTEM Filed March 31, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 l N V EN T O R ERNESTJHMES Hsunr ena Patented May 13, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC CONTROL SYSTEM Application March 31, 1938, Serial No. 199,161 In Great Britain April 14, 1937 8 Claims.

This invention is for improvements in or relating to electric control systems and has for an object to enable a succession of operations to be controlled automatically in a simple manner or in such a way that changes in the timing or succession of the operations can readily be made.

The invention provides a method of controlling a succession of operations in a machine or apparatus, comprising employing a photo-electric cell to control electrically the performance of the said succession of operations, and alternately exposing the cell to light and excluding light from the cell in a predetermined sequence with the periods of exposure and exclusion of light corresponding to those during which operations in the succession are required to take place. For controlling a succession of movements between two relatively movable members the energization and de-energization of th photoelectric cell may be caused to take place in accordance with changes in the relative settings of said members. The method of control in accordance with the invention makes for simplicity since the timing of the operations may be governed by a single movable element in the form of a shutter associated with the photo-electric cell. It is to be understood that the term photo-electric ce is used herein to include any form of cell that can be used to vary the flow of electric current in a control circuit in accordance with variations in the admission of light to the cell.

The invention further provides, in a machine or apparatus wherein a predetermined succession of operations is required to be performed, the combination with an electrically-operated device by which the operation of the part or parts required to perform the said succession of operations is controlled, of a photo-electric cell connected in a control-circuit of said electricallyoperated device and a shutter between which and the photo-electric cell relative movement takes place to control the admission of light to the cell in accordance with the required succession of operations, which shutter has light-transmitting and light-excluding portions of appropriate extents to energize and de-energize the cell for periods corresponding to those during which operations in the succession are required to take place. By this provision a complicated succession of operations can be controlled quite simply, and when a change in the timing or the succession of the operations is required to be made it is only necessary to replace the existing shutter by a modified shutter arranged to operate in accordance with the required modified timing or succession of the operations.

In a construction wherein the movements of a plurality of different parts are required to be correlated or the movements of a single movable member in a plurality of different directions at different stages of its operation are required to be controlled, there may be provided a plurality of photo-electric cells respectively controlling the movements of said parts or the movements in said different directions of the single movable member, and a shutter which is common to said photo-electric cells and is arranged to vary the admission of light to them in a predetermined manner.

When a shutter as aforesaid is arranged to control the movements of a movable member, such as a tool or workpiece of a machine tool, it is preferred to have the shutter driven so as to move in proportion to movements of said movable member. A possible alternative procedure is to drive the shutter from a time-controlled driving device operating independently of the driving-means by which the movable member is operated.

The invention further comprises a construction wherein a variable feed-movement of a movable member is arranged to be controlled by a photo-electric cell and a shutter associated therewith, and wherein an additional Change in the movement of the movable member is required to be superimposed at a predetermined stage on its variable feed-movement, and wherein said shutter has associated with it an auxiliary shutter arranged to modify the energization of the photo-electric cell during the said additional change in the movement of the movable member.

The invention also includes, in a machine or apparatus wherein a predetermined succession of movements of a movable member is required, including a variable feed-movement having superimposed thereon at a predetermined stage a reverse movement followed by a return of the member approximately to the position occupied by it immediately before the reversal, the combination with an electrically-operated device by which the movements of the movable member are controlled, of movable main and auxiliary electric-circuit control-elements arranged during their movement to vary the energization of said electrically-operated device in a predetermined manner, with the main control-element arranged to control the feed-movement of the movable member and to energize said electrically-operated device for reverse movement of the movable member, and with the auxiliary control-element arranged to be oscillated during the said reverse and return movements of the movable member with movements proportional to said reverse and return movements and when so oscillated to modify the control secured by means of the main control-element. The said control-elements may take various forms. The-y are preferably shutters controlling the admission of light to a photo-electric cell or cells, but it is also within theinvention to employ other electric circuit-controllers, for instance electric contact-making devices employing drums or discs carrying suitably spaced electric contacts.

The foregoing and other provisions in accordance with the invention are embodied in a preferred construction which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and which will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a viewin front elevation showing two vertical automatic drilling machines controlled in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the same machines in side elevation as seen from the left of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail view in cross-section, taken on the line 33 of Figure 2, showing the control mechanism on a scale larger than that of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5'is an end View of the parts as seen from the right of Figure 3 and is drawn to a scale somewhat smaller than that of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a plan View in cross-section, taken on the line 6-6 of Figure l, on a scale larger than that of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a view taken on the line 'i? of Figure 2, but on a scale larger than that of 1 Figure 2, showing parts contained within the column of each machine, the position of the crosssection at the bottom of Fi ure 7 being also indicated by the line 'l--l' in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view of an electric motor fitted with an automatic brake;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the drilling of the journals of a crank-shaft, and

Figure 10 is a diagram showing one suitable arrangement ofelectrical connections.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

The drilling machines shown in the drawings are particularly intended for drilling aligned journals of crank-shafts for internal-combustion. engines, but they are of course suitable for performing reaming operations or for other purposes Where a rotating tool is required to perform a predetermined succession of operations. Two machines are shown side by side on a common mounting but each machine is separately driven by electric motors and has its own control mechanism. For the purposes of the present application it will, therefore, only be necessary to describe the driving and controlmechanism of one machine.

The bed on which the machines are mounted isshown at II and it supports a box-like casing l2 common to the two machines. The casing l2 carries upstanding pillars it, one for each machine, and each pillar 3 aifords guidcways 14 on which the drill-head shown at i5 is vertically slidable towards and away from the work. Each drill-head i5 is travelled up and down the guideways by a lead-screw It supported at its ends in bearing casings ll and i8 secured respectively to the top of the pillar l3 and the boxlike casing l2. Each drill-head I5 is counterbalanced by a weight l9, see Figure 2, disposed within the pillar l3 and coupled to the drill-head by ropes, chains or the like 20 passing over pulleys 2| and 22 at the top of the pillar. Each drill-head carries an electric motor 23 for rotating the drill-spindle. The lead-screw for traversing the drill-head is driven from two electric motors 24 and 25, see particularly Figure '7, contained within the pillar IS.

The work to be drilled is supported in front of the casing, l2 by any convenient means. In Figure l the left-hand machine is shown as provided with supporting plates 233 secured to the front of the casing l2 and each formed with V-blocks 234 to embrace the journals of a crankshaft to be drilled, the blocks 234 being adapted to be covered by clamping plates (not shown) for holding the crank-shaft in place. Bars 25 also secured to the casing l2 are shown to receive adjustable swinging armswhich may carry drilling templates for interposition between the journals of a crank-shaft. In the construction shown each drill-head [5 has two drill-spindles .27. These may be used asalternatives, or if two precisely'similar driling operations are to be performed with each drill-headthe spindles 21 may be used simultaneously. Obviously instead of there being two drill.-spindles 21 per drill-head, theremay be only one.

The electric motors 24 and 25 are coupled to the lead-screw it through differential mechanism. to be describedlater contained in a box-like casing 28 mounted on the top of the casing l2 within the hollow pillar I3. The output shaft of the differential mechanism is shown at 29, see particularly Figure 6, and it is coupled by a muff coupling 30'to a short shaft 3! reaching within the casing I8 and having fixed to its end a bevel gear 321 meshing with a bevel gear 33 also within the casing I8 and fixed to the lower end of the lead-screw I 6. The'shaft 29 has secured to it a bevel gear 34 meshing with a bevel gear 35 secured to a shaft 35. The latter is mounted in a bearing 37 carried-by a cover-plate 38 of the casing 28, which cover-plate is also formed with a bearing 39- for the shaft 29. The shaft 36 extends through one side of the pillar l3 and serves to drive control mechanism for controlling the traverse movement of the drill-head. It will be seen that the shaft 36 is driven from the motors 24 and 25 so as to rotate at a speed which is proportional to the speed of rotation of the lead-screw 16.-

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the shaft 36' extends throughan opening 40 in the lower part of the side wall 4| of the pillar l3. The shaft is supported in a bearing 42 clamped by studs 43- and nuts 44 to the outer face of the wall 4|. The bearing 42- has an annular extension 45 forming the cover of an oil casing 46 to which it is clamped by bolt 41. Within the casing there is a wheel 48 keyed to a reduced portion 49 of the shaft 36 and rotatably supporting gear Wheels 50 and 5| of an epicyclic train. Thegears 50 and-5l rotate together and mesh respectively with a ring gear 52 formed internally on the member 45 and a ring gear 53 formed internally on a rotatable member 54 secured to a shaft 55 bybolts 56. The shaft 55 has a hollow end to receive the reduced end 5'! of the shaft 36 and a bearing sleeve 53. The gear wheel 5| has fewer teeth than the gear 50, so

that as the shaft 36 and wheel 48 are rotated the shaft 55 is driven at a considerably reduced speed.

The shaft 55 serves to drive two control members constituted by a disc 59 and a quadrant 69 arranged to control the operation of the leadscrew I6 in a manner described later. The disc 59 is secured to a circular plate H which in turn is clamped by bolts 62 to a flange 63 on a sleeve 64. The latter is mounted on a sleeve 65 mounted on the right-hand end of the shaft 55. The sleeve 65 is coupled to the shaft 55 by a one-way driving connection comprising a spring-pressed plunger 66 movable radially in a pocket 61 in the shaft 55 and co-operating with a single recess 68 f the shape of a ratchet tooth formed internally in the sleeve 65, see particularly Figure 4. Due to this arrangement of parts the disc 59 is rotated by the shaft 55 only when the lead-screw I6 is rotated in the direction to carry the drillhead towards the work. During reverse rotation of the lead-screw I6 and the shaft 55 the disc 59 is held stationary by a brake comprising a brake-member 69 formed externally on the sleeve 65 and brake-shoes 19 and H pivoted together at 12 and encircling the member 69. The shoe 19 and H are yieldably urged together by a spring 13 carried on a rod 14 which extends from a lug 15 on the member 19 to a lug 16 on the member 1 I, the spring 13 being held between nuts 11 and the lug 16. The shoes 19 and H are held against rotation by a forked lug 18 on the member 19 engaging with a post 19 mounted on the fixed casing 46. When the disc 59 is rotated during feed movement of the drill-head slippage takes place in the brake 69, 19, 1 I.

The quadrant 69 is secured to a ring 89 which is supported by curved arm Ill and 82 extending from a ring 83. The latter is secured as by screws 84 to the outer part 85 of a slipping clutch 85, 86, the inner part 86 of which is secured to the shaft 55 by the bolts 56. The quadrant may be driven in either direction through the clutch 85, 86 from the shaft 55 except when an obstacle is encountered as occurs when a stop member 81 mounted in a lug 88 of the arm 8| bears against the post 19 to limit forward movement of the quadrant.

In the construction shown in the drawings the control elements constituted by the disc 59 and quadrant 69 take the form of shutters controlling photo-electric cells indicated at 99 and 9I, see Figures 3 and 5. The cells 99 and 9| are referred to respectively as the forward and reverse cells because they are employed respectively for bringing about forward and reverse movements of the drill-head I5. The cells 99 and 9| are disposed side by side in separate comparts of a common .casing 92 mounted on one side of the casing I2. Electrical connections 93 and 94 extend from the lower part of the casing 92 to switch boxes 95 and 96 (see Figure 2) also mounted on the casing I2 and containing respectively switches operated by energization of the cells 99 and 9|. Light for energizing the cells is supplied by electric lamps 91 and 98 mounted within a separate casing 99 which is pivoted at I99 to the casing 92 and held in operative position by bolts I9I co-operating with lugs I92 on the casing 99. Each lamp 91, 98 is carried on an adjustable bracket I93 secured in place by a bolt I94, nut I95 and clamping washers I96 and I91, the bolt I94 passing through a slot I98 in the casing 99, see Figure 5. Each photo-electric cell 99, 9| is mounted on a bracket I99, the latter being supported around a lens system II9 serving to project light from the appropriate lamp 91 or 98 on to the cell. The forward cell 99 is disposed alongside two windows III and H2 formed in the casing 92 and constituted by narrow slots arranged in line. A circular opening H3 is formed in the casing 99 between the lamp 91 and the cell 99 and registers with the slots III and H2. The reverse cell 9I is disposed alongside a single window in the form of a narrow slot I I4, and light from the lamp 98 is arranged to pass through a circular aperture H5 in the casing 99, said aperture registering with the slot II4. An inspection opening H6 is formed in the casing 99 and is fitted with a viewing device II1.

It will be seen from Figure 5 that the disc 59 is formed with two circumferential rows of slots. The outer row comprises a long slot H8 and six shorter slots H9. The slots H8 and H9 cooperate with the window II I of the fast forward cell 99 so as to permit passage of light from the lamp 91 through the window I I I to the cell. The inner row of slots in the disc 59 comprises a series of short slots I29 and these co-operate with the window II4 of the reverse cell 9I so as to permit light from the lamp 98 to illuminate the cell 9I through the window H4. The quadrant 69 is formed with a single slot I2I of sufllcient width to expose all of the windows III, H2 and H4, and the boundary of the slot is stepped at I22 to afford an opaque portion for cutting off light from the window H2.

The epicyclic reduction gearing 59, 5|, 52 and 53 is so arranged as to drive the disc 59 exactly through one complete rotation during a complete feed stroke ofthe drill-head. It is desirable so to mount the disc 59 as to permit it to be adjustable angularly about the axis of the sleeve 65. To this end the sleeve 64 is not keyed to the sleeve but is slotted at one end as at I23 to engage with one or more pins I24 on a bearing sleeve I25 mounted within'the sleeve 64. Within the sleeve I25 there is a rod I26 screwed to the right-hand end of the shaft 55. Between the rod I26 and the sleeve I25 there is rotatably mounted an adjusting sleeve I21 keyed to an adjusting knob I28. The sleeve I21 is held against endwise movement by a washer I29 secured to the rod I26 by a screw I39, and between the washer I29 and the knob I29 the sleeve I21 has screwed to it a locking knob I3I. The adjusting sleeve I21 carries eccentrically a bearing on which are rotatably mounted two gears I32 and I33 which are fast to one another so as to rotate together. These gears respectively mesh with internal gears I34 and I35 formed respectively on the bearing sleeve I25 and an extension of the sleeve 65. When the locking knob I3I is unscrewed to move it to the right as viewed in Figure 3 the relative settings of the disc 59 and the sleeve 65 can be varied to give accurate adjustment of the disc by turning the knob I28. This has the effect of rotating the sleeve I21 and carrying the gears I32 and I33 bodily round the internal gears I34 and I35. The gear I32 is made to have fewer teeth than the gear I33 so that the bodily displacement of the gears has the effect of causing angular movement between the sleeve 65 and the bearing sleeve I25. When the disc 59 has been adjusted as required the locking knob I3I is turned to move it to the left as shown in Figure 3 and this has the effect of moving the knob I28 and the bearing sleeve I25 and sleeve 64 along the sleeve 65 until the parts become locked by engagement of the sleeve 64 with the brakemember 69, it being noted that the sleeve E25 has an end flange I36 to engage the right-hand end of the sleeve ii when the parts are locked. shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, an indicator plate I3Tissecured to one side of the casing and carries an indication ltd, against which an indication I39 on the disc may be aligned.

As already indicated, the lead-screw i5 is driven through differential mechanisn by two electric motors 23 and 25 shown in Figures '7 and 8. In feeding the drill-head to the work two different movements are required at different times, viz. a slow fee -movement when the drill is cutting and a fast feed-movement when the drill is not cutting but is being moved up to the work. Further, it is necessary to reverse the feed of the drill at intervals for the removal of swarf and the reverse movement should be a high-speed movement. The motor 24 in the present embodiment is employed for effecting the slow forward (cutting) feed and the motor for the high-speed forward and reverse move ments of the drill-head. The slow feed motor 2 3 is operated continuously while the machine is working and the fast-speed reversible motor is brought into and out of operation and reversed as required under the control of the electric circuit control-elements constituted by the disc 59 and quadrant 69 aforesaid. The differential drive from the motors and 25 will now be described.

Referring to Figure 6, the spindle of the slowspeed motor 24 is shown at Hill, and i i! represents a skew gear on the spindle of the fastspeed motor 25. The spindle ltd is formed with or carries av worm I42 meshing with a worm wheel I43 secured to a cross-shaft l which rotates in bearings and MS supported respectively in a boss M ll on the cover-plate 38 and by the end wall N3 of the casing 223. On one end or the shaft HM is a gear lfiii meshing with a gear [5| on a short parallel shaft 2'52 which rotates in bearings I53 and Phi, he latter being supported by a bearing bracket E55. Between its bearings the shaft I52 carries a skew gear see also Figure '7, and the gear 856 'meshes with a skew gear i5? on a worm shaft E53. The latter is mounted to rotate in anti-friction bearings 15S and 69 carried respectively in a bearing bracket It! and a boss both formed intogrally with the casing 23. The shaft i553 carries a worm I53 meshing with a. worm wheel secured by bolts and nuts I55 to a short sleeve which is freely mounted on the shaft 29 between end thrust bearings Ml and Hit. The sleeve 353 is formed integrally with a bevel meshing with planetary bevel gears d rotatably mounted on stub shafts Ill extending radially from a collar H2 secured to the shaft The skew gear it! meshes with a skew gear I73 secured by bolts and nuts lid to a further sleeve H5 similar to the sleeve The sleeve I75 is also freely mounted on theshaft 29 between thrust bearings iii and ill, and it is also formed integrally with a bevel H8 meshing with the planetary bevels ili'i on the opposite side of the collar M2 to that on which the bevel gear I is disposed. The fast-speed motor which drives the skew gear Mi is shown in Figure 8 as viewed from the right of Figure '7 and in the upper part ltil of the motor casing there is disposed a brake drum iiil secured to the motor spindle. The drum ill! contains brakeshoes ifli pivoted at E32 to the casing ltd and adapted to be splayed apart by the cam spindle 553. The latter is operated in known manner a sleeve slidable endwise on the spindle against the action of a spring it The carries a flange i865 which is ngaged by a bif .rcated arm all pivoted at i 3 to bracket secured to the main body We f the motor casing. The free end of the i531 s coupled by a link [ill to an electrical solenoid contained within a casing i2 secured to the main body its of the motor casing. The parts arranged that the brake E'ifl, 81 is brought into action to arrest the spindle of the r 225 under the action of the spring we wi enever the motor is deenergized. When the motor is ergized the solenoid in the casing 32 is also energized so as to release the brake.

It will be seen from the foregoing that when the fast-speed motor 25 is a rest, its brake serves to hold the bevel gear H8 against rotation. Assuming the slow feed motor 24 is in operation, the bevel gear Hi9 chives the planetary bevcls so as to rotate the shaft 29 and therefore the lead-screw it; and control shaft 35 at slow speed. If the fast-speed motor 25 is now brought into op ration, the bevel gear H8 is caused to rotate d drive the planetary bevels Hi! so as to ro it 25? at fast speed. In one direction of rotation of the spindle of the motor 25 its 1 .e is to the drive from the slow feed motor and in the other direction of rotation of the fast-speed motor spindle the drive from .fl', see Figure 2. Associated with said switch gear are the switches in the boxes and 95,

push buttons in a push button box i3 1 secured to a side wall of the casing i2, and other switches to which reference will now be made. For limmovements of the drill-head i5 limit Hi5 and il-lG are provided to one side of the guideways i at the upper and lower ends the illar The limit switches co-operate respectively with projections fill and 138- secured to the drill-head In. These limit switches a 5 provided. to prevent the drill-head from overits normal limits of travel. A further 5 device is illustrated in Figure 7 and cons of a worm overload release switch I99 which is pcovidedto safeguard the motors, gearing and ti d is the wolves against overload due to SSW-3 resistance to the drill, which resistance y be caused. by accumulation of swarf or in The switch i9?! is contained in a a and is operated by an arm Mil-pivoted to a bracket secured to a support 294 h also carries the casing- 292 and is formed r lly ith or secured to the casing 28.

n Ziltl is operated through an adjust- .crew by means of a plunger rod 2% sev.1 to a plunger 2&2. The latter is mounted .iited sliding movement in a sleeve 2G8 secu ed by bolts 2%- to the boss I62 and has a on cap 2 it between which and the plunger is interposed a strong compression ai normally holding the plunger against se movement. The plunger 293i is formed n external flange 252 which engages in an .r recess MS in the sleeve 268 and serves it the movements of the plunger 287 by engaging the end wall of said recess on the one hand and a washer 2 on the other hand, the washer being interposed between the sleeve 208 and the boss I62 and secured to the sleeve by screws 2I5. The shaft I58 is provided with endthrust bearings 2I6 and 2I1 and the outer race 2I8 of the latter bears against the end face of the plunger 201. The worm shaft I58 is driven so as to be rotated in a direction such that the resistance to rotation of the worm wheel I64 tends to cause the worm shaft I59 to be moved to the right as viewed in Figure 7 so that the hearing race 2I8 is held against the end face of the plunger 201. The strength of the spring 2 is, however, so chosen that no endwise movement of the plunger 201 can take place except in the event of an excessive resistance being encountered by the drill or drill-head. Under such circumstances the shaft I58 will be moved to the right as viewed in Figure 7 (such movement being permitted by the bearings I59 and I66 which are roller bearings permitting endwise movement between the rollers and the outer races) and the plunger 201 will be moved against the action of its spring 2 so that the arm 200 will be rocked by the plunger rod 206 and the switch I99 operated. To provide a similar overload release precluding downward movement of the drill-head I beyond its several limits of travel, the drill-head I5 is provided with an abutment 2I9, see Figure 2, to co-operate with an adjustable stop screw 220 fixed to the casing of the limit switch I96. On engagement of the abutment 2I9 with the stop screw 220 the worm overload release just described is brought into operation so as to actuate the switch I99.

The electrical circuits by which the control of the motors 23, 24 and 25 is secured can take various forms and they do not form part of the present invention. One suitable system of control is, however, illustrated diagrammatically in Figure to assist a full understanding of the operation of the present construction. In Figure 10 the motors 23, 24 and are indicated diagrammatically as three-phase alternating current motors to be energised from a threephase four-wire supply comprising lines L L and L and a neutral line N. The motors are energized and de-energized by triple-pole contactors indicated at A, B, C and D, the contactors C and D being provided respectively for energizing the fast-speed motor in the forward and reverse directions. The energizing coils of the contactors are shown at A B C and D and auxiliary switches operated by the contactors A, C and D are indicated at A, C and D In addition there are provided relays having coils E, K, G, H and J. The relay coil E operates switches E, E and E The relay coi1 K operates switches K and K The relay coil G operates switches G G, G and G The relay coil H operates switch H and the relay coil -J operates switches J and J The coil H is designed for continuous current operation and is connected in series with a rectifier M and a resistance O. Across the resistance 0 and coil H there is connected a condenser P. For the manual control of the motors there are shown four push-buttons S, T, U, V provided respectively for starting the fast-speed motor forwards, starting the fast-speed motor in reverse, starting both motors 23 and 24, and stopping all three motors 23, 24 and 25. There are also shown in Figure 10 normally open switches F and R which are respectively operated by the fast forward and reverse photo-electric cells 96 and 9|. The upper way coupling 66, 68.

forward photo-electric cell 90.

limit switch I and the lower limit switch I96 are further included in the diagram as are also two normally open switches W and W constituting the worm overload switch I99. Overload switches associated respectively with the three motors are shown at X, Y and Z. All of the control circuits are connected between the neutral line N and the line L The operation of the automatic drilling machine described above will now be explained. Figure 9 illustrates somewhat diagrammatically the movements required to be performed by the drill-head for drilling aligned holes through the main journals of a crankshaft. The latter comprises a long main journal MI and shorter main journals 222, 223 and 224 separated by spaces between crank arms 225 and 226, 221 and 226, and 229 and 236. The end of the drill is shown at 23I and it is required to have a succession of movements as follows. First of all a fast forward movement indicated by the long arrow a is required to bring the point of the drill close to the work. Secondly, a slow forward (cutting) feed indicated by the arrow b is needed, and this is followed by a reverse and return movement indicated by the double arrow 0 performed at high speed, the object of the reverse movement being to clear the drill of swarf. Further slow feed-movements followed by reverse and return movements as indicated at d, e, f, g and h are required until the drill is passed through the long journal 22I, and then a fast forward movement indicated by the arrow 1' is needed to move the drill through the space between the journals 22I and 222. The movements of the drill are continued in similar manner to pass it through the journals 222, 223 and 224 and to move it at fast speed through the spaces between these journals. Thus it will be appreciated that slow feed-movements indicated at 7', k, Z, m and n are needed as well as intermediate fast reverse and return movements indicated at o and p and fast forward movements indicated at q and 1'.

Assuming the drill-head I5 is at the top of its travel and the crank-shaft is in position on the work-support in line with the drill-spindle, the operator first depresses the fast forward push button S and by so doing establishes a circuit through the coil C through the normally-open contacts S interlocking contacts T of the button T, the stop button V and the overload switches X, Y and Z. The switch C is thereby closed and the fast-speed motor 25 is driven in a forward direction and thus rotates the shaft 29 through the differential mechanism I18, I10, I12, the bevel gear I69 being held against rotation by engagement between the worm I63 and worm wheel I64. The lead-screw I6 is rotated to carry the drill-head I5 downwardly towards the work, thus closing the limit switch I95. During the initial movement of the drill-head I5 the shaft 36 rotates at a speed proportional to that of the lead-screw, so as to drive the shaft 55 at slow speed and rotate the disc 59 through the one- The disc 59 which initially was in the position shown in Figure 5 turns until the slot II8 uncovers the window III of the fast At this stage the switch F, Figure 10, is closed and the circuit of the coil C is then maintained through the switches D G and E The push button S may now be released and the button U be pressed so as to complete the circuit of the coils A and B through the stop button V and overload switches X, Y and Z. The switches A and B are thus energized and bring the motors 23 and 24 into operation at the same time maintaining the circuits to the coils A and)? through the switch A and upper limit switch I95. The'drill-spindle is now rotating and the drill-head i5 is being fed downwardly at fast speed.

The drill-head l5 continues to move downwardly at fast speed until the slot H8 in the disc has passed the window I l of the cell 38 whereupon the switch F is opened and the fast-speed motor 25 becomes de-energized through de-energization of the coil C The brake H9, is! of the motor 25 is automatically applied to hold the motor spindle at rest. This stoppage of the motor 25 under the control of the disc 59 is arranged to occur just before the point of the drill touches the work, that is to say when the drill has performed the travel represented by a in Figure 9, and at this stage the drill-head continues to move downwardly at slow speed, being driven by the motor 24 through the differential mechanism lliil, HQ, ll't, the bevel gear H8 being held against rotation by the brake of the motor 25. The feed of the drill-head continues and the'disc 5S continues to turn until the first'reverse slot 523 reaches the window H4 of the reverse photo-electric cell iii. At this point the drill has performed a cutting stroke through the distance D and the energization of the reverse cell'Ql closes the switch E, Figure 10, so as to energize the relay coil K. The switch K is thereby closet and the switch K opened. The contactor coil D is energized through the switch K switches C and J interlocking contacts S of the button 6, limit switch I95, stop button V and switches IE, Y and Z. The reverse contactor D is closed, thus starting the motor 25in reverse. The drive from the :motor 25 overruns the drive from the slow feed motor 25 and is transmitted through the differential gearing H8, Ht, ll'Z to theshaft thus causing the lead-screw l6 to be operated in reverse at fast speed and to raise the drillhead it quickly. The shaft 36 is also driven in reverse and transmits a reverse drive to the shaft 55, Figure'B, whereupon the plunger 66 is moved clockwise as viewed in Figure 4 and commences to ride out or the recess 63, the disc'59 remaining stationary, being held against movement by the brake 79, ll. Up to this point the quadrant to has remained stationary in the position shown in i, being held in this position by engagement between the stop member 87 and the .post As soon as the shaft55 is driven inreverse the quadrant Kill is moved with it'in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 4, being driven through the slipping clutch 85, 35. Almost immediately the stepped portion I22 of the slot l2l in the quadrant moves past the window N2 of the fast forward cell Gil and exposes the cell to light. This causes switch F, Figure 10, to be closed, but the circuit of the coil 0 is not completed because the switch 13 has previously been opened by energization of the coil D The opening of the switch K mentioned above opens the continuous current circuit through the rectifier M, coil H, resistance 0 and switch G but the coil H remains energized for a predetermined time interval due to a discharge from the condenser P through the resistance 0. During this time interval the reverse movement of the drill-head continues and the drill is withdrawn from the work through the distance represented by c in Figure 9. During this interval the quadrant continues to move clockwise as viewed in Figure 4 or counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 5 and the slot l2i in the quadrant is of suiiicient len th to maintain both of the cells 90 and ti energized. As soon as the condenser P has become discharged the coil H is de-energized and the switch 1-1 is closed, thereby energizing the relay coil J and opening the switches J and J. [is soon as the switch J is opened the coil D is die-energized, thus de-energizing the fastspeed motor 25, and at the same time switch D is closed, thus energizing the contactor coil C energizing the contactor C and immediately the motor 25 is started in the forward direction. The drill-head is now advanced to bring the point of the drill close to the last cutting point on the we; and during this advance movement the plunger 6% is moved counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 4 into the recess 68 so that ultimately the drive of the disc 59 is picked up at the point where it last ended. The quadrant 60 is also moved back until its stop member 87 again engages the post l9, whereupon the clutch 85, 86 commences to slip again and the quadrant remains stationary. Just before this occurs the stepped portion 822 of the slot E2! in the quadrant covers the window H2 (Figure 5) of the forward cell thus de-energizing the cell and opening the contact F, so that the drill-head i5 continues to be driven oniy by the slow-feed motor 24. The slow feed of the drill is then continued to bring the point of the drill up to the last point of cutting in the work and to travel the drill through the distance represented at d in Figure 9.

During the return movement of the quadrant 69 while the drill 23l is moving downwardly through the distance represented by c in Figure 9 'ie reverse cell 9i remains energized and the switch R is therefore closed. Due to the'energization of the coil K the switch K remains open, with the coil l-I de-energized and the coil J energized so that the switch J remains open and the reverse contactor coil D de-energized. Energization of the coil D cannot then take place until the coil H has been energized by closure of the switch F3, or in other words until the coil K has become de-energized by de-energization oi the cell 9 i.

It will be seen from Figure 5 that additional reverse slots M9 in the disc 59 are arranged to come into operation at predetermined intervals, so as to bring about fast reverse and return movements of the drill 231 corresponding to the indications e and g in Figure 9, such reverse and return movements interposed between slow (cutting) feeds of the drill represented at d, f and h in Figure 9. When these cutting feeds have been completed the drill has penetrated through the journal 22A and at this point the first of the slots l 55 in the disc 58 uncovers the window I H of the fast cell to thus energizing the cell and closing the switch F. The contactor coil C is then energized for a period corresponding to that taken by the slot its to pass the window ill and fast forward movement of the drill is performed to carry the cutting end thereof across the gap between the crank arms 22:") and 225. The fast speed motor is then de-energized and slow cutting, fast reverse and return, and fast forward movements are continued in the required under the control of the slots H3 and of the disc 59, such control being modified during the reverse and return movements by the slot Hit and stepped portion 522 thereof in the quadrant 6i. When the drill has passed through all of the journals of the crank-shaft the last of the reverse slots 133 is arranged to uncover the window I H of the reverse cell 9| and at the same time the limit switch I96 at the bottom of the pillar I3 is closed thus energizing the coil E through the switch R which is closed by the reverse cell. The relay coil E has its circuit maintained through the switch E and upper limit switch I95 and it closes the switch E so as to energize the reverse contactor coil D and close the reverse contactor D. The motor 25 is operated in reverse and continues to raise the drillhead 15 until the upper limit switch I95 is opened so as to de-energize the coil E and open the switch E The drill-head is thus returned to its initial position ready to commence a fresh succession of drilling operations, reverse movement of the quadrant 60 being limited by engagement of one arm 82 with the post 19.

In the event of an overload due to the drill encountering excessive resistance, or due to the abutment 2 I 9 on the drill-head engaging the stop screw 220. the worm overload release switch is operated as previously described thus closing the switches W and W Figure 10. The switch W ensures that the coil H remains energized until the mechanical overload has been relieved and the switch W energizes the coil G which is self-maintaining through the switch G and switch J and the energization of the coil G opens the switch G As soon as the switch W has opened the timing device constituted by the condenser P, resistance and coil H comes into operation and the coil H is de-energized after a pre determined time interval. Energization of the reverse contactor coil D having previously occurred through closure of the switch C1 by the coil G a timed reversal of the feed of the drillhead is carried out in the manner as described previously. If swarf is impeding the progress of the drill, timed reversals will be automatically repeated if necessary until the swarf has been cleared.

The push button control of the motors 23, 2'4 and 25 is arranged to override the automatic control by the photo-electric cells so that whenever desired the operator may start the fast speed motor 25 in forward or reverse or stop all motors. The push button T is employed for starting the motor 25 in reverse and it will be noted that by depressing this button the reverse contactor coil D is energized through contacts T interlocking contacts S of the button S and the limit switch I95. A drilling template 232 is shown in Figure 9 and if it is desired to remove this template after commencing to drill the first journal 22I, the stop button V may be depressed as soon as the drill has reached the end of its first reverse movement, whereupon with all the motors stopped, the removal can be effected. The motors can then be re-started by a re-start button on the push button V so that the further drilling operations are performed under the control of the photo-electric cells. Similarly manual stoppage and re-starting of the machine can be effected when desired to permit removal of intermediate drilling templates carried by the bars 26 in Figure 1 and to permit transference of such templates to lower spaces. between journals of the crank-shaft.

The whole of the foregoing succession of operations is performed automatically under the control of the disc 59 and quadrant 69 during one complete rotation of the disc. Thus when one complete succession of operations has been performed the disc and quadrant are in position ready to commence a repetition of the same succession of operations on a fresh crankshaft. When it is desired to drill a crankshaft having journals difiering in length, relative disposition, or overall dimensions from those previously machined, all that is necessary is to substitute for the existing disc 59 another disc formed with slots corresponding to the different succession of operations then required. The substitution may be effected by releasing the bolts Illl, Figure 5, rocking the lamp casing 99 on its pivot I00 away from the disc and quadrant, and releasing the bolts 62. The disc 59 with its plate 6| can then be removed and the fresh disc and plate mounted in position and secured by the bolts 62, whereupon the lamp casing 99 is returned to its operative position and secured in place by the bolts NH. The fresh disc can be set accurately in position, ready for the commencement of the required succession of operations, by manipulation of the adjusting knob I28 so as to bring a marking on the disc into line with the marking I38 on the indicator plate I31. The simplicity of this resetting procedure is in very marked contrast to the complicated alterations required for resetting a mechanically operated automatic machine controlled by a multiplicity of cams, levertrip devices and similar mechanical parts all of which would require to be adjusted or substituted by modified parts for resetting purposes.

It will be appreciated that the length and arrangement of the slots formed in the disc 59 may be varied considerably according to the variations that may be required to be made in the succession of operations to be performed. For certain purposes, for instance for reaming, the control of the operations may be secured by means of the disc 59 alone, that is to say without the quadrant G9. The same disc 59 can be employed for con trolling the succession of movements required when reaming a crankshaft which has just been drilled, and as in this case no reverse and return movements would be needed, the reverse photo-electric cell may be kept out of operation If any of the fast forward slots in the disc 59 are not required when reaming they may be covered by a suitable mask.

It will be appreciated that the system of control described in the foregoing embodiment simplifies the drilling of articles, such as crankshafts. requiring a succession of movements of the drillhead. The time required for machining the work can be considerably reduced. with a consequent increase in production, and less attention is required on the part of the operative, thus making possible a saving in production costs. To facilitate further the production of the finished work it is convenient to employ two machines side by side as shown in Figure 1, and to use one for drilling operations and the other for the subsequent reaming operations.

It is to be understood the system of control in accordance with the invention is applicable not only to drilling machines but also to other machine tools, and in fact to any machine or apparatus wherein a predetermined succession of operations is to be performed. Moreover the present form of control is not only applicable to controlling the movements of a single movable member in a plurality of different directions at different stages of its operation, but it is also equally suitable for co-relating the movements of a plurality of different parts. The simple control elements constituted by the disc 59 and quadrant 69 have been shown as controlling two photo-electric cells, but obviously they'could be employed for controlling three or more-cells if desired, according to thenature of the succession of operations-to be'carried out in the'machine or apparatus.

t is to be understood that'the invention is not restricted to the precise constructional details shown in the drawings. For instance instead of the shutters of the ph'oto electric cells being constituted. by the disc 'fifi and the quadrant- 6% they might take the form elf-rotatable cylindrical members, reciprocable slides, endless bands or the like.

I claim:

1. Inapparatus of the class described Wherein a predetermined succession of operations is required to be performed, the combination com prising a movable operating member for per forming said succession ofoperations, an electrically operated device governing the operation of-said member, a'plurality of'pl'ioto-electric cells, means-for directing light to said cells, shutter common to said cells and interposed between them and said light-directing means, which shutter includes light-transmitting and lightexcluding portions foralternately-energizing and de-energizingsaid cells, means for driving the shutter to move in proportion to movements or said movable member, and means for controlling said electrically operated device in'accordance with theenergization and de-energization of the photo-electric cells.

2. In'apparatus of the class described wherein a prede ermined succession of operations is required to be performed, the combination comprising a movable member which is to have a variable 'ieed movement and an additional change of movement superimposed at a predetermined stage on its variable ieed movement, an electricallymperated device for governing the movements of said movable member, a photoelectric cell, 'means for directing'light to said cell, a shutter interposed between said lightdirecting means and the photo-electric cell and including light-transmitting and light-excluding portions, means for causing relativemovement between said shutter and photo electric cell to vary the energization of' the latter in a predetermined manner, an auxiliary shutter interposed between said light-directing means and the photo-electric cell, means for operating the auxiliary shutter during the said additional change in the movement of the movabl member in such manner as to modify the energization of the photo-electric'cell, and meansfor controlling said electrically-operated device in accordance with the energization and 'deenergization of the photo-electric cell.

3.'In apparatus of the class described wherein a predetermined succession of operations is required to be performed, the combination comprising a'movable member which is to have a variable feed-movement having superimposed thereon at a predetermined stage, an additional change of movement consisting in a reverse movement followed by a return of the member approximately to the position occupied by it immediately before the reversal, an electricallyoperated d'evicegoverning the movements of said member, a photo electric cell, means for directing light to said cell, a shutter interposed between said light -directing means and the photoelectric cell and including light-transmitting and light-excluding :portions of predetermined dimensions, means for driving the shutter to move in proportion to the feed-movement of the movable member, an auxiliary shutter interposed between s d light--d ecting photo-electric cell and including light-transmitting and light-excluding portions, means for oscillating said auxiliary shutter during the reverse and return movements of the movable member with n'iovements proportional to said reverse and return movements, and means for controlling electrically-operated device in accordance with the energization and de-energization of the photo-electric cell.

4. In apparatus of the class described wherein a predete mined succession of operations is required to be no formed, the combination comprising a movable member wl 'ch is to have a variable feed-movement having superimposed thereon, at a determined stage, an additional change of movement, an electrically-operated crevice for varying the movements of said movable member, a photo-electric cell, acasing enclosing said cell and h. 12 windows formed therein, means for g light to said cell through said wi ocws, a shutter interposed between said ligl1t-d1r cting means and one of said windows and including light-transmitting and light-excluding portions, means for driving the shutter to move said portions past the appropriate window so as to control the variable feedmovement of the movable member, an auxiliary shutter interposed between another window and said light-directing means and having lighttransmitting and light-excluding portions, means for operating the auxiliary shutter to control the additional change in the movement of the movable member, and means for actuating said electrically-operated device in accordance with the energization and de-energization of the photo-electric cell,

5. In apparatus of the class described wherein a predetermined succession of operations is re quired to be performed, the combination comprising a movable member which is to have a variable feed-movement having superimposed thereon at a predetermined stage an additional change of movement, an electrically-operated device for varying the movements of said movable member, a photo-electric cell, means for directing light to said cell, a disc, means for rotatably mounting said disc in a position interposed between said light-directingm ans and the photoelectric cell, said disc being formed with openings to expose said cell in a predetermined manner, means for rotating the disc, a quadrant, means for mounting the quadrant to oscillate about the axis of said disc between said lightdirecting means and the photo-electric cell, means for oscillating the quadrant to control said additional change in the movement of the movable member by controlling the energization of said cell, and means for actuating said electrically-operated device in accordance with the energization and de-enereization of the photoelectric cell.

6. In a machine tool having a tool carrier, a Work support, and means for causing relative movement between the tool carrier and work support, said means comprising an electric motor which operates continuously, a drive shaft, a reversible electric motor, diiferential mechanism coupling said continuous and reversible motors to said drive shaft to permit the latter to be driven at fast speed by said reversible motor and at slow speed by said other motor, a pair of photoelectric cell mechanisms for controlling said reversible motor to operate it alternately in 0pmeans and the posite directions, and shutter means actuated by the relative movement of the tool carrier and work support cooperating with alternate photoelectric cell mechanism at the alternate limits of relative movement.

7. In apparatus of the class described wherein a predetermined succession of operations is required to be performed, the combination comprising a movable operating member for performing said succession of operations, an electrically-operated device governing the operation of said member, a photo-electric cell, means for directing light to said cell, a shutter interposed between the cell and said light-directing means, which shutter includes light-transmitting and light-excluding portions for alternately energizing and de-energizing said cell, means for driving the shutter to move in proportion to movements of said movable member, and means for controlling said electrically-operated device in accordance with the energization and de-energization of the photo-electric cell.

8. In apparatus of the class described wherein a predetermined succession of operations is required to be performed, the combination comprising a movable member which is to have a variable feed-movement having superimposed thereon at a predetermined stage a reverse movement followed by a return of the member approximately to the position occupied by it immediately before the reversal, a photo-electric cell, an electrically-operated device including said photo-electric cell whereby the movements of the movable member are varied, movable main and auxiliary electric-circuit control-elements, means for moving the main control-element in proportion to the feed movement of the movable member, means for varying the energization of said electrically-operated device under the control of said main control-element to control variations in the feed-movement of the movable member, means for energizing said electricallyoperated device from said main control-element for reverse movement of the movable member, means for oscillating the auxiliary control-element during said reverse and return movements of the movable member with movements proportional to said reverse and return movements, and means operated by said auxiliary control-elements for modifying the control secured by said main control-element.

ERNEST JAMES HENRY JONES. 

